Now, I know it happens—even to myself—where angry spectators have spit on umpires after the game when they believe the result should have been different. But my next ‘Where Are They Now?’ subject, Shane David McDonald, suffered what Sgt. Wayne Miller of the Victorian Police described as “one of the ugliest incidents we have ever seen at football.” He stated that the crowd was certainly fired up.
In a game at Victoria Park in 1986, a free kick to the Swans—which video suggested was correct—allowed them to win by one point. As the umpires headed towards the rooms, a gathering of supporters surged forward and pushed two police horses together, leaving umpires McDonald and Howe with no protection. A man ran up to Shane and spat in his face but was pulled away, only to break free and assault Peter Howe with a stiff-arm blow to the head. Hundreds heckled the umpires as they left the ground, even throwing cans at the officials.
Collingwood President Allan McAlister stated, “We believe this type of behaviour is detrimental to the game.” To protect the umpires, police locked them in a Divvy Van until 7 p.m., then escorted them to their cars through a crowd of irate spectators. As this was Shane’s first year in the Seniors (Round 13), he must have wondered what the hell was going on and hoped it would never happen again.
Shane was born on August 28, 1962, to Neil and Sylvia McDonald at the Francis Perry House, Royal Women’s Hospital, Carlton. He had one brother, Graham, and three sisters: Michelle, Kim, and Debra. The family lived in Fawkner, where Shane attended Fawkner East Primary School from 1968 to 1974.
While at school, Shane played football with St Mark’s Junior Football Club and, during the summer months, played cricket with North Melbourne C.C. in the District Competition until he was 18. He then joined Lincoln Mill C.C. and North Coburg YCW in ‘A’ grade, playing representative cricket throughout.
At 12 years old, Shane graduated to Fawkner Technical School in 1975, where he was appointed School Captain in his final year. At 13, he began umpiring, encouraged by a Cricket Club member to join the Northern Metropolitan F.L. From 1975 until 1980, he umpired Grand Finals every year.
After a year at Preston College in 1981, Shane enrolled at the Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT) at La Trobe University, where he studied for four years, graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science. While at RMIT, he played football with the University team for three years.
Upon entering the workforce, Shane started teaching at Altona North Technical School for three years before transferring to Ivanhoe Grammar School. After umpiring the N.M.F.L. top division Grand Final, he was recommended for the VFL Reserve grade umpiring panel in 1981. He was accepted, and his VFL umpiring career began.
In his first year, he officiated the Riddell F.L. Division 2 Reserves Grand Final, and in 1983, he was appointed to the North Central & Southern Mallee Grand Finals.
During the North Central Grand Final, the umpires stayed until Monday and arrived at training straight from their trip. Umpire Coaches Sutcliffe and Casey laughed when they learned that Shane’s mother had been trying to locate him—unfortunately, no mobiles in those days! This all happened a week before the VFL Under-19 Grand Final, where Shane was appointed, partnering with Gerald Walsh. Melbourne 16.11 defeated North Melbourne 8.10.
While on the Reserve grade list, he was appointed to the North Melbourne vs. Collingwood Under-19 match when the senior umpires were on strike.
Promoted to the senior list in 1984, Shane trained at Parade College, Bundoora, over the summer and then moved to Olympic Park. His first game was at Torquay in the Bellarine & District F.L. After umpiring around the country for two years, 1986 proved to be a great year for Shane—not just for the incident in the opening paragraph, but also for his achievements on the field.
He was appointed to the VFL Reserves Elimination Final (Melbourne 16.20 d. North Melbourne 13.14), partnered with Mick Sneddon. After only 16 Senior games, his exceptional performances left the selectors no choice but to appoint him to the VFL Reserves Grand Final, partnering with Brendan Carland (Carlton 22.14 d. Footscray 10.12).
In 1987, Shane was appointed to the VFL Night Series Grand Final (Melbourne 8.10 d. Essendon 8.6), partnering with Rowan Sawers.
In 1989, Shane was involved in the first trial-by-video case. Missing the report, he was suspended for six weeks—a decision that still disappoints him, as he was watching another incident and missed the jaw-breaking punch.
Shane’s umpiring career left no stone unturned, and the only achievement he missed was officiating at the Senior VFL Grand Final. His tally of games included 60 VFL/AFL games, 14 VFL Reserves games, 30 VCFL matches, and 13 VFA games. His only Senior List VCFL Grand Final was in the Wimmera F.L. (Ararat vs. Horsham, 1986).
One embarrassing moment came while umpiring on the Reserve grade list: in the mud at Fish Creek, he lost his boot and had to finish the game without it!
In 1992, Shane was appointed Head of Outdoor Education at Ivanhoe Grammar, meaning umpiring took a backseat, and he retired from his aspirations.
Later, he moved to Shepparton after being approached by Goulburn Valley Grammar School, where he became a teacher and Year Level Coordinator. In 2011, Shane was promoted to Director of Co-Curricular Programs, managing compliance policies and planning major school events.
Throughout his life, Shane played football for Swanpool Football Club in the Benalla & District Football League until the age of 42. He coached Swanpool to two premierships, including their first in 50 years, and was awarded Life Membership in both the football and cricket clubs. He also served on the Shepparton Golf Club Committee for ten years, acting as Club Captain. Beyond sports, Shane has an adventurous spirit. He once embarked on a solo cross-country ski journey from Mt Buller to Mt Hotham, which took 12 days. He has a passion for native wildlife and birdlife, and has trekked the jungles of Sumatra and Malaysian Borneo on 10 separate occasions, showing students Orangutans in the wild whilst sweating in the summer humidity of the equator. This also incorporated community service such as building toilet blocks, water tanks and reticulated watering systems in remote villages. Has also travelled to Italy, Scotland, USA, Canada, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Java, Sumatra, Bali and New Zealand. Might say he loves travelling.
Today, Shane spends most of his time following the careers of his three children, Lachlan, Emily, and Simon, as well as his grandson, Ted (1 year old).
Lovely to catch up, Shane—ever thought of standing for Parliament?
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows